Interview: 2020 California QB Jared Heywood is Scorching Defenses with Amazing Accuracy
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
When some high school football players talk about the offseason grind and how hard they worked, the progress shown on the field come game time makes one wonder. With Class of 2020 quarterback Jared Heywood, there is no doubt how hard he went at it with the goal of taking his game to the next level. Heywood has been as accurate as any other quarterback in the nation this season picking apart California defenses in style.
At the end of the 2018 season, Heywood had slung the pigskin around the yard for Los Angeles’ Cathedral High School connecting on 67-of-119 attempts for 940 yards with 10 scores. The 6-2, 185-pound, gunslinger has emerged during his senior season with Inglewood High School as a new man. There is seemingly little defenses can do against Heywood but hope the Sentinels run the ball. He has hit 90-of-114 pass attempts for 2,391 yards with 36 touchdowns against just four interceptions, and for extra measure he has posted two more scores on the ground. The Sentinels are tearing up the Pioneer League with a 7-0 record with three regular season games left.
In an RNG catch-up interview, I sat down with one of the state’s most improved players covering his play on the field with a quick recruiting update.
Interview
Jared, you have started the 2019 season ripping it completing 79 percent of your passes. What is working for you allowing for the pinpoint accuracy?
“I am trusting my receivers, trusting the system, and my coaches. Our coaches are getting the right play to us. I always give credit to my offensive line. They give me time so I can make the throws I need to make. We have great preparation here. We watch film, take notes, and dial in the plays we need to win.”
What style of offense are you running at Inglewood?
“Spread.”
How does the Sentinels set fit your skillset?
“I’m a throw-first QB, but I can run if I need to. I feel like I am an accurate QB who can make every throw on the field.”
When you lineup pre-snap, what kind of defenses are teams throwing at you this year?
“They are lining up in 3-3-3 sack; that was the first time I had ever seen that. That was against South Torrance. I am mainly seeing Cover 3, some Cover 2 and 4. We are seeing some man as well.”
For any given game, how are you preparing to take on the competition?
“By watching a lot of film on Sunday coming into practice on Monday ready. We watch film on Monday as a team and take notes. Every night I am watching film of the opposing team. I am watching the defenses they run and how we can attack them.”
Which areas of your game are showing the most improvement?
“My pocket presence, knowing when to run, my pre-snap reads, trusting my arm and trusting the athletes around me have all improved. Knowing where to go with the ball and reacting to defenses has improved a lot as well.”
After seven games into your senior year, what do you now feel are the overall strengths to your talents as a quarterback?
“The thing that separates me is the deep ball, extending plays, throwing on the run, making the throws I need to make, pre-snap reads, and my preparation. Watching film separates me knowing what I will see coming into the game.”
Where is everything lining up on the recruiting trail with interest?
“There is a lot of daily interest coming in for me. There are a lot of schools showing interest with coaches reaching out.”
Which program(s) have offered?
“I have an offer from APU (Azusa Pacific).”
Are you planning any visits coming up?
“Yes. I have a scheduled visit APU on the 19th.”
What has you excited about the APU visit?
“I’m excited to see the coaches. I like the coaches at APU and what they are trying to do. I want to see how they prepare for each game each week.”
Last question. The next two games are on the road against Torrance and North. What does the team have to do come back home with a pair of victories?
“We have to keep doing what we have been doing all year. We have to clean up the penalties, fly around, be efficient in all areas of the game, and we will come away with victories.”
Jared, always great catching up with you. I appreciate your time and wish you and the Sentinels success the rest of the way.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: twiiter.com; No. 1 Jared Heywood